ING, UniCredit and seven other European banks to jointly develop euro stablecoin https://t.co/Icr68tAgK2 ...

Group 1 - Nine European banks have formed a consortium to launch a euro-backed stablecoin, expected in the second half of 2026, including major players like ING, Banca Sella, and UniCredit [1][2] - The stablecoin will be regulated under the EU's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework, aiming to provide a European alternative to the US-dominated stablecoin market [1][3] - A new company has been established in the Netherlands to manage the stablecoin project, with plans to obtain licensing as an e-money institution from the Dutch Central Bank [2][4] Group 2 - The stablecoin is designed to facilitate near-instant transactions at lower costs, enhancing access to cross-border payments and digital asset settlements [3][4] - The European Central Bank (ECB) has noted that euro-denominated stablecoins currently have a market capitalization of less than €350 million ($410 million), highlighting their marginal presence compared to US dollar-based stablecoins [6] - ECB President Christine Lagarde has called for stricter regulations on non-EU stablecoin issuers to address gaps in the MiCA framework, amid increasing pressure for a digital euro [6][7]

🚨JUST IN: NINE EUROPEAN BANKS INCLUDING ING, UNICREDIT, AND CAIXABANK TEAM UP TO LAUNCH A MICA-COMPLIANT EURO STABLECOIN BY H2 2026 ...

Nine European banks — ING, Banca Sella, KBC, Danske Bank, DekaBank, UniCredit, SEB, CaixaBank, and Raiffeisen Bank International — have formed a new company to issue a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The venture will seek an e-money license from the Dutch central bank, aiming to set a European digital payments standard while inviting more banks to join.https://t.co/mp3BnZY8wz ...

Nine major European banks including ING, Banca Sella, KBC, Danske Bank and UniCredit are launching a euro-denominated stablecoin. By @IanAllison123.https://t.co/yjq4g2WwuA ...

By Tom Sims, Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Valentina Za FRANKFURT (Reuters) -A consortium of nine European banks, including heavyweights ING and UniCredit, said on Thursday they are forming a new company to launch a euro-denominated stablecoin, a move they hope will help counter U.S. digital market dominance. A host of top U.S. financial firms have been preparing to launch their own dollar-backed crypto tokens after President Donald Trump signed a law overseeing rules for stablecoins that could further cem ...

Core Insights - Fnality has raised $136 million in a Series C funding round to expand its DLT-based payment systems beyond the UK Sterling network launched in 2023 [1][2] - The funding round was led by major financial institutions including WisdomTree, Bank of America, and Citi, indicating strong institutional confidence in blockchain-based payment systems [6][7] Company Overview - Fnality aims to create a regulated settlement network that connects traditional financial infrastructure with the emerging world of tokenised assets, offering 24/7 real-time settlement and liquidity optimisation [3][10] - The company launched its first payment system, the Sterling Fnality Payment System (£FnPS), in December 2023, recognized as the world's first regulated DLT-based wholesale payment system [4] Funding and Expansion Plans - The Series C funds will be used to expand Fnality's model to other major currencies and enhance interoperability between stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and institutional tokenised assets [5] - The goal is to establish an institutional-grade settlement layer across capital markets, addressing the need for regulated infrastructure anchored in central bank money [10] Industry Impact - Industry leaders view Fnality as a critical foundation for the tokenised markets, with its systems modernising market structures for faster and more efficient operations [6][8] - The support from a diverse group of institutional investors highlights the growing confidence in blockchain-based wholesale payment systems and their potential to transform financial market infrastructure [7][8] Future Outlook - Fnality's success hinges on balancing innovation with compliance, as each payment system must be supervised by its respective central bank, adding credibility and requiring regulatory collaboration [12] - As financial markets trend towards tokenisation, the demand for settlement layers that combine central bank trust with blockchain speed is expected to increase, positioning Fnality as a foundational element in the future of global finance [13]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's latest economic forecasts indicate differing predictions for interest rate cuts, with Morgan Stanley projecting two cuts this year, while ING remains more pessimistic about the near-term outlook but optimistic for inflation in 2026 and 2027 [3][4]. Economic Growth Projections - Morgan Stanley forecasts a real GDP growth rate of 1.4% for 2025 and 1.6% for 2026, while ING predicts slightly lower growth rates of 1.3% and 1.5% respectively [3]. - For 2027, Morgan Stanley anticipates a growth rate of 1.8% [3]. Unemployment Rate Predictions - The unemployment rate is projected to be 4.6% in 2025 according to Morgan Stanley, while ING estimates it at 4.5% [4]. - For 2026, both institutions predict a slight decrease in the unemployment rate, with Morgan Stanley at 4.4% and ING at 4.5% [4]. Inflation Rate Forecasts - The PCE inflation rate is expected to be 3.1% in 2025 according to Morgan Stanley, while ING predicts it will be 3% [4]. - For 2026, both firms project a decline in inflation, with Morgan Stanley forecasting 2.5% and ING at 2.1% [4]. - The core PCE inflation rate is also expected to decrease, with Morgan Stanley predicting 3% for 2025 and 2.5% for 2026, while ING estimates 3.1% and 2.3% respectively [4]. Federal Funds Rate Expectations - The Federal Funds Rate is projected to be 3.875% in 2025 according to Morgan Stanley, while ING estimates it at 3.6% [4]. - For 2026, Morgan Stanley anticipates a rate of 3.375%, compared to ING's prediction of 3.4% [4].

Group 1 - Oil futures have risen for three consecutive sessions, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and concerns over potential supply disruptions from Russia [1] - Market participants are closely monitoring geopolitical tensions and the possibility of further Western sanctions on Russian supplies, which could impact supply surplus expectations [2] - Tomorrow's EIA inventory data is anticipated to show crude and gasoline stocks remaining unchanged, while a build in diesel stocks is expected according to analysts' estimates [2]

Core Viewpoint - The record-high U.S. crude oil production is intensifying concerns over global supply surplus, leading to extreme bearish sentiment among traders, indicating potential sustained downward pressure on oil prices [1][8]. Supply and Demand - U.S. crude oil production reached a record 13.58 million barrels per day in June, surpassing previous estimates by approximately 150,000 barrels per day [1]. - Total liquid fuel production in the U.S. hit a historical peak of 21.1 million barrels per day in June, reflecting a month-over-month increase of about 145,000 barrels [2]. - Diesel demand was revised up to approximately 4 million barrels per day, showing a 6% increase from previous estimates and an 8.3% year-over-year growth [6]. - Jet fuel demand also performed well, with revised data showing a 4.3% increase from initial estimates and a 4.2% year-over-year growth [6]. - Despite strong demand in certain segments, the broader gasoline demand average is down 1.1% year-over-year, at about 9 million barrels per day [6]. Market Sentiment - Bearish sentiment has reached historical extremes, with speculative net long positions in WTI crude oil falling to the lowest level in 18 years, down by 5,461 contracts to 24,225 contracts [7]. - The increase in short positions has driven the bearish sentiment, with WTI crude oil short positions reaching a 20-month high [7]. Future Outlook - Analysts predict a supply surplus may emerge by the end of this year and extend into next year, with Goldman Sachs estimating a surplus of 1.8 million barrels per day from Q4 2025 to the end of 2026 [9]. - The EIA forecasts Brent crude oil prices to average $67 per barrel in 2025, dropping to $51 per barrel by 2026 [10]. - Geopolitical risks remain a concern, particularly regarding the lack of progress in peace agreements and potential changes in the Middle East, which could lead to sudden price fluctuations [10].